Acadia National Park
Mount Desert
Acadia National Park covers much of Mount Desert Island. Most of the park is preserved in its natural state, with commercial activity taking place outside the park in surrounding communities. Busy little resort towns offer modern services, lodging, dining spots, gift shops and antique stores.
The eastern half of Mount Desert is the more populated side. It is home to the town of Bar Harbor, which is near the Cadillac Mountain Entrance to Acadia National Park. The western half, locally known as the "quiet side," is more rural. The land is punctuated with marshes, coves, inlets and an occasional village.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor (population 4,820) is a vibrant gateway community to Acadia. Where the millionaires' summer cottages once stood, contemporary visitors will find inns, hotels, guest houses, sidewalk cafés, formal restaurants and block after block of boutiques, specialty shops and galleries.
Bar Harbor is also home to such prestigious institutions as Jackson Laboratory, a leading genetics research center, Mount Desert Island Biological Lab and the College of the Atlantic, a small liberal arts college. During the summer, all offer educational programs for the public.
Learn more about the town's history at the Bar Harbor Historical Museum located at 33 Ledgelawn Avenue; (207) 288-0000 or (207) 288-3807 (reservations).
Northeast Harbor
Eleven miles from Bar Harbor lies Northeast Harbor (population 1,100). This low-key town, punctuated by stately summer homes and boats bobbing at the waterfront, sits on a protected deep-water port—one of the best in the state. Walk along Municipal Pier or poke your head into the town's antique store and old bookshop. On Route 3, Thuya Gardens mixes formal English flower beds with simple Japanese influences, and each June, Asticou Azalea Gardens, on Route 198, presents more than 20 varieties of azaleas.
The Great Harbor Maritime Museum on Main Street is a good place to see some of the island's historical artifacts. Seasonal activities include golf and tennis.
Southwest Harbor
Found on the island's western "quiet side," this large fishing town of 1,952 looks out over Somes Sound. The second-largest town on Mount Desert, it is ranked one of the top 10 commercial fishing harbors in Maine. Boat-building is the main industry and some of the world's finest crafts come from here.
The Wendell Gilley Museum exhibits more than 200 bird carvings and offers carving demonstrations.
On land, you can golf, hike, rent a bike or have a beachside picnic. You can take to the water and hop the ferry to the Cranberry Isles, or go deep-sea fishing for halibut or tuna.
On the outskirts of Southwest Harbor is the village of Manset, home of several boat yards. The nearby settlement of Tremont, home to 1,300 islanders, takes its name from the French trois and mont, describing the three mountains seen from the town. Lobstering is the primary industry. West Tremont, Bernard and Bass Harbor are smaller villages associated with Tremont.
Acadia In Depth
News from the Parks
Ken Burns on Vacation/Location at Glacier National Park
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
September 5, 2008 - 1:39pm
It's too early for civilians. As dawn's first light falls on the jagged peaks, creeps down the dwindling glaciers and glides across glass-faced Swiftcurrent Lake, most of the tourists in the Many Glacier Hotel are still snoozing.
Town Government Rejected by Tusayan
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
September 5, 2008 - 12:15pm
Tusayan voters have rejected creating a town government for their small community just outside Grand Canyon National Park. Voters turned down incorporation 69-56 in a divisive election over development issues. "We once again said no to massive commercial development here in Tusayan," said Clarinda Vail, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on Tusayan Incorporation group.
Tauck Hosts its 10,000th Guest-Volunteer in Yellowstone National Park
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
September 4, 2008 - 4:32pm
Tauck World Discovery celebrated a unique milestone recently when it hosted the 10,000th participant in its award-winning guest-volunteer program in Yellowstone National Park. The 10,000th volunteer was in one of three Tauck tour groups working in the Park over the weekend of July 19 - 20. The volunteers each donated a portion of their vacation time with Tauck, an escorted tour operator, to work on preservation and beautification projects in Yellowstone National Park.
Dupuyer Elementary School Offering Students Unique Learning Experiences
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
September 4, 2008 - 4:24pm
Dupuyer students started class Wednesday, Aug. 27, and though their numbers are way down from last year, teacher Lydia Mild has some special educational treats for her five students. To kick off the year, the Dupuyer students are doing a comparison unit between Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. According to Mild, the unit will cover migratory trails, native tribes and many other aspects of the parks.
Boston Trustees Discuss Township Issues
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
September 4, 2008 - 3:52pm
Boston Township Trustee Gerald Ritch told board members at the Aug. 27 meeting that it appeared unlikely the township could obtain state Issue I grant money to repair or replace failed septic systems of some township businesses. Ritch said a Summit County official told him Coventry Township was able to obtain money in a similar situation, but septic systems are not considered infrastructure, making it unlikely township businesses would qualify.
